New Casino In New York State
- Casinos and racetracks in New York State are required to close at 10 pm every night under new COVID-19 restrictions, according to a gaming association Casinos and racetracks in New York are.
- New York State Team ALBANY - New York's 13 private casinos and racetracks can reopen their doors starting Wednesday, ending a COVID-19 shutdown that started in March.
ALBANY - New York's 13 private casinos and racetracks can reopen their doors starting Wednesday, ending a COVID-19 shutdown that started in March.
The decision announced last week is welcomed news to the thousands of workers who have been unemployed since the virus shuttered all non-essential businesses.
© JIM SABASTIAN/FOR THE TIMES HERALD-RECORD Resorts World Catskills is prepared for reopening, with signs and sanitary procedures in place.State Government Guide: Keep Up with the Latest Developments in New York State A brand new casino, built from the ground up, could potentially raise the same amount of money as congestion pricing.
New York's slow reopening had allowed most industries to resume, except for large gatherings like casinos and amusement parks.
But Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sept. 3 that casinos could start to reopen Wednesday with a variety of safety measures and limited capacity.
They also need to have enhanced air filtration systems.
Food and beverage service on the gaming floor will also be prohibited, as will live performances, which are largely banned statewide.
Not all the casinos and racinos are scheduled to reopen Wednesday.
Some are, such as Resorts World Catskills in Sullivan County, Tioga Downs in the Southern Tier, Vernon Downs in central New York and Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack in Ontario County.
Batavia Downs said it will open at 8 a.m. Wednesday. All guests will have to have a temperature check.
“We are so looking forward to welcoming back our guests,” Henry Wojtaszek, the track's president, said in a statement.
Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway is scheduled to open Sept. 21. Others haven't announced an opening date.
Del Lago in the Finger Lakes said it plans to open Wednesday, but had no immediate time. Rivers Casino in Schenectady said it would open Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Rivers 'has been working hand-in-hand with the state to make all the changes necessary to reopen and we will meet, or exceed, all requirements to provide a safe and healthy entertainment environment,” Justin Moore, its general manager, said in a statement.
Tioga Downs, which before closing has a contingent of 600 employees, is attempting to bring back as many people as they can, some in alternative roles, such as sanitary watchdogs, customer service representatives, among other duties.
“We’re trying to figure out how we can hire as many people back,” said Jeffrey Gural, owner of Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs.
When full operational, Tioga Down has 893 slot machines. On Wednesday, Gural estimates about 350 will be available for play, with more to be put into service as plastic barriers between machines are installed.
Players will be temperature checked upon entering the premises, he said.
“We’re operating in a much safer environment,” Gural said.
Here's what to expect when you go, according to state guidance:
© JIM SABASTIAN/FOR THE TIMES HERALD-RECORD Resorts World Catskill is preparing for a possible opening in the near future. They've set into motion 21 safety protocols for both visitors and employees.How will occupancy be handled
The workforce and the number of customers need to be limited to no more than 25% of the maximum occupancy.
Also, any gatherings in event spaces need to be kept to fewer than 50 people, which is the statewide restriction.
Native American casinos in New York previously reopened because of their sovereign status.
What about social distancing?
Six feet of space needs to be maintained between patrons.
For sports wagering counters at the four upstate casinos, distances of at least six feet need to be marked. There also needs to be a barrier between bettors and cashiers.
Slot machines can only be activated if they are at least six feet apart, or if there are physical barriers between them.
Similar requirements will be necessary for table games, such as poker and blackjack.
What about table games?
Tables have to be six feet apart, and gamblers at the same table need to be separated by physical barriers approved for use by the Gaming Commission.
Physical barriers must also be installed between dealers and patrons, even if social distancing can be maintained.
The commission, which regulates gambling in New York, has to approve each casino's individual plan for table games before they can proceed.
'Wherever possible, games must be reconfigured to minimize the number of times that patrons must touch cards (e.g., by using “face-up” dealing in blackjack), and must never permit patrons to touch another patron’s cards,' the guidance says.
More: These were the first casinos to reopen in New York
Do you have to wear a mask?
Masks are required at all times, except for age verification upon entrance or if eating at a restaurant.
Indoor and outdoor restaurants can open, but they have to follow the same set of guidelines for all eateries in New York. For example, New York City does not allow indoor dining.
What about the air ventilation?
The state required the systems to be updated and inspected before any casino could reopen.
The HVAC systems needed to meet 'the highest rated filtration compatible with the currently installed filter rack and air handling systems, at a minimum MERV-13, or industry equivalent or greater,' the state guidance said.
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More: The Turning Stone Resort Casino in central NY plans to reopen soon. Here's when
Joseph Spector is the New York state editor for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany
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This article originally appeared on New York State Team: Casinos set to reopen in New York. What to know before you go
Cuomo’s new directive
Casinos in the state of New York must close bar and restaurant areas at 10pm under a new directive introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The measures come into full effect on Friday, November 13 at 10pm local time.
Gov. Cuomo announced the new bar, restaurant, and gym curfew this week in an effort to combat the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the state:
Although gaming floors in casinos may remain open at all hours under the restrictions, operators must end bar and restaurant services from 10pm to 5am. Bar seating is completely banned.
gaming floors in casinos may remain open at all hours under the restrictions
During a press briefing, the New York governor told reporters he would introduce further statewide restrictions if the new measures did not reduce the spread of the virus. Speaking about restaurants and gyms, he said: “If these numbers keep going crazy… you will go back to a close down.” The governor has appointed the State Liquor Authority to enforce the new rules.
Other state casino restrictions
New York State casinos closed in mid-March as a result of the ‘first wave’ of coronavirus in the region. Gov. Cuomo permitted casinos to reopen on September 9, subject to a string of restrictions which has limited gaming revenue.
New Casino In New York State
Casinos and video lottery terminal facilities must adhere to a 25% occupancy limit. Strict safety conditions are also in place, including mandatory face coverings and increased spacing between gaming machines. The State Gaming Commission is in charge of enforcing the rules.
New Jersey’s similar measures
Earlier this week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced similar restrictions for the Garden State, ordering casinos to adhere to a 10pm curfew for bars and restaurants. The new measures will be detrimental to casinos in New Jersey’s gambling hub of Atlantic City, all of which have struggled this year.
combined revenue loss of $112m for the second quarter of 2020, down 85% year-on-year
Because of the March closures, the properties posted a combined revenue loss of $112m for the second quarter of 2020, down 85% year-on-year. Although they got the go-ahead to reopen on July 2, Atlantic City’s casinos have also been subject to capacity limits and strict safety protocols which have impeded recovery.
Newest Casino In New York State
In September, however, New Jersey’s Assembly Appropriations Committee passed a bill that guaranteed some financial relief for the state’s nine casinos.